Following an 8-1 loss to Sammy Sosa and the Cubs, the Marlins optioned right-handed reliever Rafael Medina to Triple-A Calgary and placed right-handed reliever Archie Corbin on the 15-day disabled list with a sore pitching elbow. Left handed rookie Brent Billingsley was recalled from Calgary. Alex Fernandez will be activated today and start tonight against the Cubs.
Manager John Boles will be out 3-10 days after an emergency operation operation to remove a herniated disk in his lower back. Fredi Gonzalez, who has coached in for the organization at every level will serve as interim manager.
With home runs come wins. The power hitting Marlins sent 4 homeruns out of County Stadium to beat the Milwuakee Brewers for the first time ever 14-6. Preston Wilson hit his team and league-rookie leading 7th home run. Bruce Aven and Cliff Floyd each hit their third of the season, while Kevin Orie hit his first. Jesus Sanchez finally got a win, pitching 7 stron innings allowing only 2 earned runs. Matt Mantei came in with a 2 run lead and earned his 4th save of the season.
Alex Gonzalez’s 3-run home run and a spectacular double play with the bases loaded capped a 5-4 Marlins victory over the San Diego Padres. Ryan Dempster, back in the majors, won his season debut. Derrek Lee also homered for the Marlins. Box Score.
Cliff Floyd, Todd Dunwoody, and Preston Wilson each hit home runs to bring the Marlins back from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the L.A. Dodgers 6-4. For Floyd and Dunwoody, it was their first home runs of the season. Preston Wilson hit a pinch hit solo home run to tie the game at 4. The Marlins went on to take the lead and win their first series of the year. Matt Mantei came in the ninth to nail his second save of the season.
Bruce Aven hit the Marlins’ first ever pinch-hit grand slam, to lift the Marlins to a 6-3 victory over the Dodgers, ending an 8-game losing streak. Down 3-1, Todd Dunwoody doubled in Mark Kotsay. After the Dodgers intentionally walked, Bruce Aven pinch-hit and nailed a grand-slam, sending the capacity crowds at Dodger Stadium home. Matt Mantei finally got his first save of the season. Aven has already set Marlins records for RBIs and home runs by a pinch hitter.
Ryan Dempster was brought up and Kirt Ojala was sent to Calgary. Ojala had struggled in the early part of the season and the Marlins prefer to give the experience to the 22 year old Dempster, not the 30 year old Ojala.
The Florida Marlins announced on Sunday they have placed right-handed pitcher Alex Fernandez on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled right groin muscle. The Marlins have recalled the contract of right-handed pitcher Rafael Medina from AAA Calgary. The Marlins also lost their 6th straight game, this time to Milwaukee in the 13th inning in front of a record-low crowd.
After 600 career at-bats,